Monday, March 30, 2009

If anyone of you pedal pushers have some additional time this week, I encourage you to give input for the future of downtown Omaha. Folks from Secret Penguin created an Amazing Site that recorded video of the meetings and brought Omaha a place to offer a voice...Lets Use It.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Maybe the subject line is a little titillating. I really have no idea if the logo has been shown before or if it's ever been a "secret."

Last week I attended the Sierra Club's monthly meeting where the topic was Bicycling as Commuting. You can read my write up here.

Here's the logo that Marty Shukert showed during his presentation. "Bike Omaha" is the name tentatively given to the 20-mile, on-street bikeway system to serve as sanctioned bike routes servicing downtown, midtown, and areas north and south of the core of Omaha, east of 72nd Street.

Here is a link to a google map that I made several months ago showing the planned routes at that time.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

I opted for some fat tire action today. The start of the ride was a bit cold but the weather turned out to be just right.

I did two laps at swanson and man it was a great ride. The trail is in almost perfect condition. Only a few tacky spots in the shaded areas but the rest of the trail is dry. If you get a chance to hit only one trail before the weather turns crappy, go hit swanson.

League President to Testify Before Select Committee on Global Warming Washington, D.C. - March 19, 2009 - Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists, will speak at the Select Committee Energy Independence and Global Warming hearing titled "Constructing a Green Transportation Policy: Transit Modes and Infrastructure"http://globalwarming.house.gov/mediacenter/pressreleases_2008?id=0099#main_content today, March 19, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2203, Washington, D.C. Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Vice Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced the hearing in response to Congress and the Obama administration's pressing agenda items -- global warming, clean energy and job-creating infrastructure projects. Clarke will discuss the considerable role cycling and walking can play in combating climate change and promoting energy independence. Footage of the hearing will be available here. Click here to view Clarke's written statement to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

This Friday is the final downtown Masterplan public presentation, which is being held at the downtown library located at 215 S. 15th Street between Noon and 2pm. A few have mentioned wanting to attend and maybe ride afterwords. When ever I pedal around downtown I get a hankering for adult beverages, so if anyone is willing we can partake in a pint or two following our comfortable and conversational urban ride. I'm open to meeting places and urban routes, so perhaps someone (eb) can be the chief. I'll be riding skinny tires with limited gears (1). What say you?

Monday, March 16, 2009

The first PCL event of the year took place Saturday,with forty folks on cycles meeting at CB's D St. Crib. Scott and I pedaled to Lincoln Friday evening and had a ball. BTW, It was Scott's first human powered trip to Lincoln, next time you see him give him a high five and a box of girl scout cookies. (Oh, and he did it with one gear.)

After an evening of chatter with friends at YiaYia's followed by Ivanna Cone, Scott and I awoke to egg sandwiches and the "Miracle Drug"called coffee. All fixed up by Scott's brother Luke. Making our initial rotations & feeling the perfect morning temperature, we had a sneaking suspicion the day would be epic.

When I approached the D Street Hotel, bicycles were scattered in every nook and cranny. Leaned against mailboxes, bushes and bricks. It was reminiscent of a fraternity house party, but instead of drunk folk it was bike folk. (which I prefer)Walking inside was pure delight meeting & greeting the owners of the scattered steeds. Shortly after entering and scouring the white elephant gift table, we located our other Pedal Omaha brethren Rafal and Douglas.

Minutes later the group rolls down A Street further west towards our turn around point at Malcom. We all pedaled together until the rollers were in sight, I was getting antsy and wanted to stir things up a bit so I slammed into a slight hill and begged folks to follow. And Follow they did. All of the sudden there were five guys right beside me pacing on gravel. SWEET!

Not really desiring to blow the legs up, I hung back and was riding solo for a bit. After too much solitude I slowed until the next few riders could catch. It was KW and some other guy whose name I forgot. We stayed together until Malcom where we bought our lotto tix, then proceeded with the gas station routine of piss,rehydrate,refuel & a lil conversation. It was Swell!

Most of the group stayed together on the march back to Lincoln. I loved getting the opportunity to chat & pedal with several Lincoln-ites ... Jesse,Woodman,Cornbread,Wills, Bonsall, Gersib & Ortiz to name a few. Definitely planning on doing as many PCL rides as possible. They know how to have a good time, and I can't wait for more LINOMA hookups in the future.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Come on out and play Omaha Bike Mafia (aka Pedal-Omaha)! We're meeting at Hwy-50 & I-80 (McDonalds) at 7:30 AM and will carpool / caravan to Lincoln to join our brothers and sisters in the Cap City on their L-M-L ride. Ride starts at 9:00am. Looks to be a good time. And you can become an instant millionaire too! So far the group is myself, RD and 2sean9er. We need more peeps to represent the big 'O'. Who's in? We'll have plenty of room for transporting bodies and bikes. Just speak up.

Do you want to cut your carbon footprint, and get more physically active at the same time? Help reduce traffic congestion, and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Have you considered making bicycling part of your routine? Perhaps even your main mode of transportation?

We'll be discussing bicycling as a means of commuting at our March 26 program. We've got a great group of speakers to let you know what is happening in Omaha to make cycling safer and more reliable as a means of getting around town. And these experienced cyclists can give tips on what you need to know if you want to ride smart and ride safe.

Our speakers are leaders with Activate Omaha and Bikeable Communities! and include:

Marty Shukert, principal with RDG Planning and Design, and former Director, City of Omaha Planning Department;

Stuart Shell, also with RDG, and board member of the Community Bike Shop;

Our speakers are avid cyclists who will describe the progress Omaha is making towards becoming a bicycle friendly community. We'll hear about the 20-mile loop program, which has the goal of getting 20 miles of designated bike lanes in the downtown and midtown area, focused on getting east/west routes. We'll learn about factors to consider in choosing cycling as your main means of transportation, strategies to take with different types of roads, and tips to help you arrive at your destination safely.

Come to our March program to find out what you can do to increase your cycling miles while staying safe.

Sierra Club programs are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Green at 556-1830, or mary.green(at)nebraska(dot)sierraclub(dot) org

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

So the much to do about CIRREM didn't happened(looking at the pictures it was right call). Rain crappy weather made that decision easy enough. This weekend looks a lot better and much drier with two offerings for you

I will be going Sunday or Saturday, if any one wants to go let me know.( 2-3 people) This one should be less stressful one week of DST under a belts. Cross bikes are welcomed at both events. Who knows maybe someone will not be guarding their Fargo :) and maybe I can use my quote I used on EB. just kidding just kidding...

I was hanging in Coffee Slingers in downtown OKC yesterday morning. It's next to my favorite bike shop, Bicycle Alley. All of a sudden I get a tap on my shoulder. It's Tyler from the shop. They just had a guy bring in an old Colnago for a tune up. It was given to him.

Tyler wanted me to take photos of it. So I went home, got my gear and came back. I was shocked at what I saw.

We all have heard and reheard about the economy, stimulus this and bailout that.Whether we like it or not we are in a recession. For myself in my 24 year old shoes it hadn't really affected me yet.(or hit home so to speak) My money was still spent at coffee houses, bicycle shops, bakeries and the occasional trip to the cinema.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Currently I believe that the Douglas and I are the only people interested in going Sunday morning. If you like to tag along feel free to drop me an email at rafald1 (at) yahoo (dot) com. It should be pretty good times. Leaving early Sunday morning from my house...